STAND TOGETHER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 161, 29 September 1941, Page 5

STAND TOGETHER

EXPERIENCE OF R.S.A. VETERANS

NEED FOR UNITY

In the publication "Reo Mihi" (The Voice of Greeting) which is forwarded to the lads of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. each month the following article appears : "Reo Mihi" is a bright '"newsy" sheet, which gives the boys over the water tidings of the doings on their behalf of the R.S.A,. and also of the various districts, branch secretaries contributing a variety oi interesting items.

"Two organisations of returned soldiers of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. have recently been formed in New Zealand both of which have political aims.

The N.Z. R.S.A., whilst not contesting the right of ex-servicemen of the present war to form organisations of their own if they so desire, feels very strongly tljat any attempt to use such organisations for political purposes is doomed to failure.

£ince its foundation in 1916 the N.Z.R.S.Ai. has steadfastly remained non-party political, and therein lies its strength, for within its ranks, art men of all shades of party political convictions.

For 25 years it has worked consistently for the benefits which ara now enjoyed by ex-servicemen and their dependants, and these benefits will now be extended, to the new "Digger" not because of any asking on its part, but as a matter of right.

.tin effect he is enjoying the fruits of 25 years of solid work, persevered in by the N.Z.R.S.A. to secure the most liberalised scheme of pensions repatriation, land settlement, medical treatment, and a hundred and one other things affecting his welfare and successful re-establishmenl In the civil life of the communitv.

The new Anzacs are the natural successors to the old "Diggers," and they should be prepared to gradual" ly take their place in conducting the affairs of the N.Z.R.S.A. and continue the worth-while work which was started in 1916.

The Government of the R.S.A. based on the most democratic lines. On his enrolment as a member, any Digger of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. is eligible to contest any office in the whole ambit of the N.Z.R.S.A. The time must surely come, when he will hold each and every office. It therefore behoves him to assist to advance the status of the R.S.A. on his return to New Zealand and a strong united body—the Old Digger and the New—help to make "God's Own Country" really worthy of its name.

United, great things can be accomplished, but divided into a number of small factional or political organisations, we would surely fail."